Loose-leaf binder



Nov. 25, 1941. H, D, PENNEY ETAL 2,264,142

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed March 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i AOP'TZ ey? N0v.25, 1941. HDPENNEY ETAL 4 `2,264,142

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed March l2, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheen'I 2 fig@ 8 f4.7. 9

sfo/7U 5. @cdv/n Patented Nov. 25, 1941 2.264.142 LOOSE-LEAF BmDEn Harold D. Penney, Pelham, N. Y., and John B.

Godvln, Orange,

Elizabeth Penney exeentrlx of said Harold D. Penney, deceased Application March 12, 1938, Serial No. 195,438

(Cl. 12S-l) llclalms.

The present invention relates to an improvement in ring binders and has for its principal feature, the combination of a structure combining loose leaf and permanent binding functions for binding vloose sheets of paper in bock or pamphlet form.

A further advantage lies in the manner in which the leaf binder element is vremovably mounted upon its base or slide guide, or the back of a bound book cover, according to the type of leaf assembly desired. The present construction is readilyv adapted for mounting on many forms of outer binding covers, either of a single scored sheet or a regular binder casing, or independently thereof.

One of the features of advantage is in the provision of a leaf binder element comprised of a plurality of sub-joined binder rings, in one piece, so constructed as to permit of removal or replacement thereon of a plurality of loose leaves, in the customary manner and the provision of a slide guide therefor whereby thering binder element and its leaves, having an open side, may be connected to said slide guide for permanent, or temporary assembly.

Simple means are also provided for releasably locking the vring binder to its slide back, to Vpreassemblies, wherein a book case or outer cover is used in conjunction with the present improvement;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary. plan view of another form of binder back;

Fig. 14a is a transverse sectional view of the back of Fig. 14, taken on line lla-Ila thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 15 is a transverse. sectional view of a further modied form of binder ring and slide guide; Fig. 16` is an end view of another modication;

g5 and Fig. 171s a perspective view of another vent the ring binder and leaves from becoming Y inadvertently displaced from its slide back, but permitting easy displacement of said binder member when desired to remove it from the binder back.

'I'he foregoing and other features of advantage will be apprehended as the herein description proceeds and it will be obvious that modiflcations may be made in the structure herein disclosed, without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary end view of one form of the present structure;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the binder form.

'I'he present improvement contemplates the use of standard loose leaf sheets, as at S, Fig. 2, which is provided with spaced binder ring receiving perforations h, along one edge thereof. whereby said sheets may be mounted upon the teeth A, or A' of a cylindrical comb-like ring binder element, one as shown in Figs. -2 and 5, the other as shown in Figs, 4 and 6.

As noted in Fig. 5, the ring binder generally denoted by R comprises a series of open ended. spaced cylindrical teeth A, which are Joined at one of their adjacent ends by a longitudinal, in-

tegral rib T, the teeth being spaced to register with the perforations h in the sheets S. This form is preferably stamped up of sheet metal. The open tooth ends of the rings A are spaced a suillcient distance from the rib T to leave an opening O therebetween to permit the introduction or removal of sheets S thereon, or therefrom, about as illustrated in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 4 the ring binder R' there shown is like the wire form shown in. Fig. 6, at R', wherein a continuous length of wire is convoluted to form spaced binder teeth A', the adjacent ends of the convoluted teeth being continuously connected to a longitudinal series ol.' connecting extensions T. The open tooth ends of the rings A' are spaced a sufilcient distance from the rib T' to leave an opening 0 therebetween to perinstance, the slide back B shown in Figs. 7 and 8, preferably made of an elongate strip .of sheet metal, though other materials are suited for this purpose, the front end of the strip, as at E-E, being cam shaped. The slide guide B has its parallel edges 2 and 3 slightly yoiset and uptured or curved, shown in Fig. 8, and is provided witha central longitudinal indent I, which forms a riveting base for the back B, whereby it may be attached to a case back D shown in Figs. l and 11, through rivet holes l, Fig. '7 and rivets r, Fig. 11. As thus assembled the upturned oifset edges form opposed guide ribs, which are spaced from the inner face of the case back D, to form two opposite, longitudinal slide grooves into which the open sides ofthe ring binders R or R' may be slid, being entered into the grooves at the cam end E-E, and slid along until lthey reach the opposite or lock end of the slide guide strip B, as indicated by the dotted lines R, Fig. 'l and as shown in Fig. 11. The rounded or cam end E-E of the slide guide B facilitates the starting engagement of the cylindrical ring binders on the strip B.

'I'he rear, or lock end oi the slide guide strip B is provided with curved, outtlaring cam extensions 1 and 8 and outstanding stop terminals 9 and I0, between which are lock indents 5 and 6.

When the ring binder is completely engaged on the slide guide strip B, as in Fig. 2, the end ring as shown dotted at R, Fig. '7, rides the curved cam faces of extensions 'l and 8 and snaps into the indents 5 and 6, and thereby locks the ring binder and leaf assembly in operative position on the slide guide B, as shown in Fig. 2. Figs. l and 11 show the nal assembly.

A modied form of binder lock is shown in Fig. 10, wherein the lock comprises indents 5 and 6' cut into the side edges 2 and 3, at the terminals of the slide back. A further form of binder lock is shown in Fig. 9, wherein the opposite flanges or guides 2 and 3 are provided with opposed and spaced indents II-l2 and |3II. These indents Ii-I2 and IS-M produce pairs of slightly raised rounded projections on the inner faces of the flanges 2 and l, thereby forming between each pair of projections a shallow retaining notch into which the end ring R engages. As is the casewith all suchprojections formed .by such indentsfthe projections are rounded,

whereby each of said shallow notches is provided interiorly with a cam face against which said adjacent ring hook slides when it leaves the notch; and edge portion near the retaining notch is provided with a cam portion exterior tothe notch for engaging the associated free end of the ring R and tensioning the ring hook as the free end moves toward the retaining notch, the tension of the ring serving to yieldably hold the ring in the shallow notch to yieldably hold the binder element against longitudinal movement relative to the guide B.

As above described the leaf and binder assembly may be left on the slide guide structure B, as a permanent binder, but may be used as a loose leaf binder, wherein, by the springing of the ring binder from its terminal lock means l'-l', 5 6, or Il-i2 and I2-II, it may be slidably removed from the slide back B. and leaves then inserted or removed, as indicated in Fig. 4.

There are other forms of slide guide structures, which function the same as the slide guides of Figs. 'I to 10 inclusive and these are shown in Figs. 12 and 13. In-Fig. 12, the case comprises binder boards C-C with an integral semi-flexible back D, which is moulded at its longitudinal axis into a slide guide generally denoted by F. 'I'he `moulded or pressed portion of the back F comprisesf'back and upwardly curved portions e--e anda joining,4 connection f, the curved portions e-e being bent from the back D at J. The

spaces M-M form slide grooves in which to slide the ring binder' as described for the previous mures,

Fig. 13 is somewhat similar to Figs. 1 and 1l, except thatthe slide guide G is made of metal, is curved, asiat j, in cross-section, is riveted at r to the baci; D and has binder ring slide spaces at N-N.

A further embodiment of a slide guide is shown in Fig. 14 provided with a binderring lock as 'shown'in Fig. 9. In this form of construction the binder ring R of Fig. 5 is preferably used, and the slide guide, similar in cross section to Fig. 8 has one offset side edge I cut with a plurality of indents I5, in spaced registration with the teeth A of Fig. 5, and in spaced registration with the apertures h of the sheet S of Fig. 2.

In operation of the slide guide of Fig. 14 the ring binder being loaded with leaves S, has its A longitudinal connecting rib T pushed under the oil'set flange 2, inthe direction of the arrow P, Fig. 14, and with the ends of the teeth A in registration with indents I5, shown dotted, said ends are then rocked or pushed downwardly and slid in the direction of the arrow Q until they have moved a distance equal to one half of the spaced pitch of the indents i5, and are lodged by the lock in the position shown in full lines at A-R Fig. 14. In this construction the ring binder is only slid, after hinged engagement with slide guide B, a short distance to become engaged on the slide back B. This construction is well adapted to heavier and larger loose leaf assemblies, than the earlier noted devices, but is well adapted for use in the smaller sizes, also. This construction permits of instant assembly of the guide and ring, without va. long sliding motion.

In Fig'. l5, there is shown a further modification of binder element wherein D' forms a simple back without covers, and has riveted thereto by rivets r, an oifset slide guide, similar to those disclosed in Figs. 1, 7, 8 and 11, withv the exception that the ends of the teeth A, and the edge of the rib T are provided with turned hook-like edges v, and the edges ofthe offset flanges 2 and 3 are provided with turned hook-likeedges u-u, which interengage to lock the ring binder R with said slide guide B against pulling apart. The ring binder R is, in this instance, semi-circular in cross section, but functions exactly as previously described for the other modifications, in slidably engaging or disengaging the slide back B and the binder ring R.

llrom the foregoing, it will be noted that the construction of the device is simple, emcient, and

provides a means whereby a longitudinal ring binder is provided with separated binder rings which are open to receive, or permit removal of, perforated separate loose leaves, said opening ases-,14s

also acting as a means to-connect the binder ring to a slide back, which closes the said opening and removably locks the binder ring in operative contact therewith. z

InFig. 16 there is shown an end view of a modified binder assembly in which the binder'ring asembly R' is semi-circular but the marginal ends of the rings at Y-Y are turned inwardly so that these in-turned portions slidably engage in the turned or beaded sides 2-2 o! the slide B. This structure utilizes only one piece of metal for the slide.

In Fig. 17 there is shown another form of binder comprising a rolled. ilanged. connected set ot rings 22 connected to rolled, out-turned ilange 2l, which latter is rolled into a tubular, hinge formation 20. and which nts into the tubular portion I9 on one edge of the back I1.

The opposite edge I8 of the back I1 is turned inwardly to form a flanged seat to receive the out-turned ends 23 of the rings 22. The flanged inturned side Il is notched at I6, in pitch with the pitch of the ringsf so that the ring binder may be shifted, as described for Fig. 14, for opening the ringed section from the slide I1, for removing or adding sheets. The ring 2I-22 may be removed by sliding it a distance equal to one half of the pitch of the notched spaces I6 to expose the ring ends 23, whereupon the binder portion 22 is swung out on the hinge beads I9'20, as indicated in dotted lines, and the binder portion 22 is then slid longitudinally out of the curled ilange I9.

What is claimed is: 1. In combination, a binder back; a one piece elongated plate-like guide having an axial portion secured longitudinally against the inner face of the back, said guide having a longitudinal oilset part on each side of said axial portion spaced from said inner face; a binder element comprising spaced ring hooks. and longitudinal connecting means connecting the inner ends of said hooks and slidably engaged under said part at one margin of said guide; the free ends of said ring hooks being so disposed relative to the connecting means that when the connecting means are engaged under said part said .free ends will hook under said part of the other margin, and may pass by sliding movement of the element out of engagement with said other margin and means for resisting longitudinal movement of said free ends from said engagement with said other margin, said means comprising a shallow notch in which at least one oi said ring hooks yieldably engages,

2. In combination, in a ring binder, an elongated plate-like guide; a binder element comprising spaced ring hooks, and longitudinal connecting means connecting the inner ends of said hooks and slidably and pivotally engaged under part oi' one margin of said guide; the free ends of said ring hooks being s o disposed relative to the connecting means that when the connecting means are engaged under said part said free ends will hook under the other margin oi' said guide, and may pass by sliding movement of the element out of engagement under said other margin; and

means associated with at least one of said ring hooks for holding said` binder element against longitudinal movement o! said free ends from engagement with said other margin; said means comprising a shallow retaining notch adjacent to said other margin into which the free end of while` the ringv hooksA engagev undery said other f margin..

3. In a combination as` in. claim 2, said other margin near to the retaining-notch being. provided with a cam portion engaging the associated free end and tensioningd the ring 'hook as the free end4 moves toward; they retaining notch.

4. In a ringbinder, the combination oi' an y elongated plate-like guide; a binder-element comprising spaced ring hooks, and longitudinal con- Y necting means connecting the inner-ends of said hooks and slidably engaged under part of said guide; said guide being provided with.4 aseries of spaced notches forming portions. spaced trom. each other along said guide, and each. portion provided with a retaining edge disposed longitudinal to the guide, the free ends of said ring hooks being so disposed relative to the connecting means that said free ends will hook under said retaining edges respectively when `the connecting means lie under said part of said guide,

and. may pass by movement of the element to the notches for release; and means associated with atleast one of said ring hooks for resisting .longitudinal movement of said free ends from said retaining edges; said last named means com# prising a retaining notch near to one of said retaining edges into which the free end of the adjacent ringhook yieldably engages while the ring hooks engage under an edge of a portion of the guide.

5. In a binder as in claim 4, said edge portion at said shallow notch being provided with a cam against which said adiacent'hook slides when it leaves the notch; said edge portion near to the retaining notch beingprovided with a cam exterior to the notch and engagingl the associated free end and tensioning the ring hook as the free end moves toward retaining notch; said hooks being adapted to be received by the perforations of a plurality of perforated sheets, which sheets may be held ilat together and moved longitudinally of the guide, thereby to remove the free ends from or to the retaining edges and said shallow notch against the tension of the associated ring on said cams.

6. In combination, a binder back having boards hingedly connected thereto; a one-piece elongated plate-like guide secured longitudinally of the inner face of the back; a binder element comprising spaced ring hooks, and longitudinal connecting means connecting the inner ends of said hooks and slidably and pivotally engagedunder part of one margin of said guide; the other margin of said guide being provided with aseries oi spaced notches forming portions spaced from each other along such margin and spaced from said back, and each portion provided with a retaining edge disposed longitudinal to the guide'.

the free ends oi said ring hooks being so disposedA relative to the connecting means that when the connecting means are engaged under said part,

said free ends will hook under said short edgesrespectively; and may pass by sliding movement longitudinal movement of said free ends from said short edges; said means comprising a shallow retaining notch adjacent t6 one of said retaining edges into which. the free end of the adjacent ring hook yieldably engages while the the adjacent ring hook may yieldably engage ring hooks engage under edges ot the guide.

7.Inacombinationasinclaim'8.ran portionneartheretainingnotchbeing withacamportionengagingthei endan tensioningtheringhookasthcfreeen'dmoves into the retaining notch. 8; In a binder, a one piece elongated plate-like guide having a nat axial rib portion anda longitudinal oitset part on each side of said axial portion; one margin oi' said guide being provided at the corresponding` onset part with a sexies of spaced notches forming portions spacedfrom each other along such margin forming retaining edge portions, and interior and exterior cams associated with at least one of said notches.

9. In a ring binder.` the combination of anelongated guide; a binder element comprising spaced ring hooks. and longitudinal connecting means connecting the innerends ot said hooks kand slidably engaged with part of said guide, the

free end part ofthe hooks being provided with engagement means; said guide being provided with a longitudinal series of spaced retaining -means; said engagement meansand retaining means being so constructed and so disposed relative to the connectingmeans that they may be interengaged, to hold the hooks against outward movement when said element is in one position relative to the guide, and may be disengaaed on li-` short longitudinal movement of the element from said position relative to guide, for release of the engagement means; and means for resisting longitudinal movement of said element from the interensged position to the released pomtion, said means comprising a shallow notch in which at least one oi' said hooks may engage. 10. In combination an elongated guide; a

-saidfreeendswillenglsowithsaidguideto slidably 'engaged with part of said guide; free ends oisaid ringhooksbeingsol relative to the connecting means connecting means are engaged with said the hooks against outward movement, and

out oi engagement with said guide; and means additional to i'rictionand mounted on said guide and engaging saidelement for said longitudinal movement, said last mentioned means comprising a notch in which at least one of said ring hooks may engage.

11. -In combination an elongated guide; a binder element comprising spaced ring hooks. and longitudinal connecting means connecting the innerends ofsaidhooksandlnngitudinallgslidably engaged with part o! said guide; the free endsofsaidringhooksbeingsodisposedrelative totheconnectingmeans,thatwhentheconnect- HAROLD D. PENNEY. JOHN B. GODVIN. 

